My life with the triple negative type – A Winning Battle (and Search for Ways to Cope With Darn Chemo Brain)

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The Heparin Sting

I’ve seen patients who did not mind this shot at all–the heparin shot. Most don’t like it basing on my eight years experience as a nurse.

I had my share of this heparin shot as being hospitalized twice recently. They give this to most patients to prevent blood clots as a prophylaxis because most patients are at risk being immobilized or partially immobilized.

It always caused me pain but my last night of hospital stay, it put tears in my eyes. I cried like a baby.

“You must have hit a nerve. It hurts too much,” I cried as I wiped my tears.

“I’m sorry,” my young oncology nurse said. I could see it in her eyes that she means it.

“You wouldn’t know. There is very little nerve in the fat tissue. You won’t know if you’ll hit a nerve.”

I wanted to rub my abdominal area where she stuck me, but I know I shouldn’t. It would leave a big bruise. “Just don’t give it to me again, and tell the day nurse too, OK?”

And that was my last dose of painful heparin shot. No more. I don’t need it anyway. I was not immobile. I walked multiple times a day in my room, and in the halls with a mask on. Enough.

Saint Peregrine Prayer for people with cancer

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty," "The Wonder-Worker," because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you.

For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fibre of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favoured with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you.

(Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying)

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.
Amen.

Cancer Of The Breast…

(a borrowed poem)
[...] Cancer of the breast
from east and west;
it seems Pandora's box is
making a big mess.

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A Prayer When In Pain

I am bowed down and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.
My back is filled with searing pain;
there is no health in my body.
I am feeble and utterly crushed;
I groan in anguish of heart.

All my longings lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
---------Psalm 38:6-9 (TNIV)